Neither rain nor wind will stay the Relay for Life

By NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Herald Lifestyles Editor

Published 7:59 am, Tuesday, May 11, 2010

It’s been said that if Plainviewans don’t like the current weather situation, just wait a day or two and it will change. Monday’s wind and blowing dust, coupled with forecasts of more to come this week along with the possibility of rain, had Relay For Life participants worried.

With that in mind, Jim and Brandy Tirey, chairs of Hale County’s 2010 Relay For Life set for Friday night, have anticipated the weekend weather and relocated the event from outdoors at Hilburn Field to indoors at the Ollie Liner Center.

"The forecast for Friday does not look favorable for an outdoor event, and the wind has caused problems with lighting at Hilburn Field that may or may not be resolved by Friday," Jim Tirey said in announcing the location change.

He added the wind alone would be a deterrent in setting up tents and luminarias. Add the possibility of rain, he said, and the Ollie Liner Center is the logical choice for the change.

"The schedule will remain the same as far as when we open for setup and when the main events occur," Tirey said. "We will set up the tents and make the Ollie Liner Center look as much like our traditional Relay For Life as possible. The one difference is that we will be out of the weather."

Ollie Liner Center will be open for setup at 3:30 p.m. Friday with survivor registration at 5:30. The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. with the survivor and caregiver laps starting at 6:15 p.m.

Entertainment and team laps will be continuous until 10 p.m. when the walkway will be cleared for the luminaria ceremony honoring cancer survivors, caregivers and those who have not survived cancer.

Team laps will continue from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Pizza will be served at 11 p.m., and the Fight Back Ceremony is set for 2 a.m.

"The closing ceremony will be at 6 a.m. Saturday followed by the final lap," Tirey said.

Luminarias can be purchased Friday night or in advance by calling Dawn Mustian at 292-9428. Survivors can register with Daleyn Schwartz by calling 292-2644.

Other key Relay chairmen are Rae Anne King and Marka Fikes, activities for kids and adults, and Sarah Ballard, entertainment. Soroptimist International of Plainview is handling registration, and Scott Snipes is in charge of logistics.

(Contact Nicki Bruce Logan at 806-296-1362 or nicki@plainviewdailyherald.com. Become her fan on Facebook.)